In recent years, the use of the term organic foods has grown enormously. Stores that specialize in organic foods have multiplied in cities and in suburban areas and most supermarkets now stock at least a small selection.

So, what are organic foods and what are their advantages and disadvantages? There are no actual government standards that specify on a food label exactly what organic means. But there is a general agreement on what constitutes organic foods.

Organic fruits and vegetables are grown without the use of any chemical pesticides or fertilizers. The soil in which vegetables are grown is treated with natural animal manure and with decomposed organic waste matter that serves as a natural fertilizer. The composting process that produces the fertilizer uses material such as leaves, grass cuttings, and weeds that are left to stand until they molder. This, of course, is a slow process and limits the supply of natural fertilizers.

The organic gardener faces another challenging problem: insect pests. There are some natural solutions to this problem. Natural insect predators such as lady bugs and praying mantises can be purchased from gardening supply stores. Plant-eating slugs can be destroyed by setting out pans of warm beer. They are attracted by the odor and crawl into the pan and drown.

Organic meats, like organic vegetables, are naturally pure and free of any artificial chemical substances. Cattle, chickens and other organically raised animals receive no special hormones to promote growth and are not treated with antibiotics. And, they are not allowed to graze in areas treated with chemical pesticides or to consume feed that contains artificial additives or preservatives.

Why are organic foods so popular? Their enthusiasts seem to fall into three main categories. First, there are those who simply think that organic foods taste better. Gathered at their peak, they are rushed to nearby food stores while they are fresh and tender rather than being subjected to lengthy refrigeration and storage before being purchased.

Another group encourages the wider use of organic foods because of concerns about the environment. They believe that using chemical fertilizers improves the structure and aeration of the soil and encourages the development of helpful organisms in the soil. Environmentalists object to the use of chemical fertilizers because of their damaging effects on water and wildlife.

The last group is composed of people who think that organic foods really are better for you. They believe that by eating organic meat and produce you will become a healthier, more attractive person.

Opponents of organic foods claimed that many dealers are dishonest, and are buying produce from regular commercial wholesalers and then representing it as organic, at a markup of as much as 100% above the supermarket price.

On the plus side, however, the family that decides in favor of organic foods cuts out all of the empty calorie snack foods from their diet. We all know that these foods have little or no nutritive value.

It is your choice on what you decide about eating organic foods. Some people may choose to use only organically grown fruits and vegetables while others decide that everything they eat should be organically grown.